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Hydrangea serrata Bluebird is a shrub plant bred in Japan. Flowers are valued for their decorative properties, so they are often used in landscape design. The shrub blooms until late autumn, when other plants are no longer on the site. For this reason, many gardeners prefer this crop.
Description of hydrangea serrata Bluebird
Serrata hydrangea (hydrangea serrata bluebird) is a shrub with a strong trunk. For a long time, he was considered a greenhouse inhabitant, but today he is planted everywhere.
The height of the plant reaches 120 cm. The leaves are bright green, oval in shape, up to 12 cm long. The width of the crown often exceeds 1,5 m.
Hydrangea serrate Bluebird has large inflorescences up to 8 cm in diameter. They are able to change color depending on the composition of the soil. In the center of the inflorescence are small white-blue or light pink flowers. Along the edges of the “panicle” are large flowers, which, after blooming, acquire a milky pink and bluish hue.
Hydrangea Bluebird in landscape design
Landscape designers recommend planting serrate hydrangea to give the site a blooming look. In the process of creating any composition, one must take into account the fact that the distance between plants must be at least 1,5 m.
A flowering shrub goes well with astilbes or astrantias. Minimalist lovers will love the combination of Blueber with lilac or mock orange. If there is a pond in the garden, then the hydrangea can become an ornament to its coastal zone. Due to its high frost resistance, the shrub will delight its owners from early spring to late autumn.
Below are photos of the use of serrated hydrangea Bluebird in landscape design.
The plant is planted as a hedge along the garden path
The combination of different varieties allows you to achieve the natural brightness of a living fence
The view from the window on a blooming flower bed will extend the summer until October
Winter hardiness of hydrangea serrata Bluebird
The winter hardiness of the adult bluebird serrate hydrangea allows it to withstand frosts down to -23 ° C, so it can be planted in the Moscow region. The only territory where Bluebird hydrangea should not be planted is Siberia.
With the onset of cold weather, a young plant requires shelter, or transfer to a cool room. Proper and timely care of the shrub guarantees a healthy awakening of the serrated hydrangea in early spring.
The serrated variety Bluebird blooms all summer and continues to please the eye until late autumn.
Planting and caring for bluebird hydrangea
The best time for planting bluebird hydrangea is April, May and September. In order for a young shrub to take root faster, it is planted in warm weather. It needs to be carefully looked after.
For abundant flowering, the gardener must provide hydrangeas:
- timely watering;
- surface loosening;
- competent pruning;
- pest protection.
The serrated Bluebird variety is heat-loving, so when planting in open ground, it is important to correctly determine the place.
Selection and preparation of the landing site
Bluebird hydrangea is planted in open areas with partial shading. This flower does not tolerate when a large amount of sunlight hits it. Long exposure to the open sun can cause the shrub to dry out. To avoid this, landing is carried out in partial shade.
Serrated hydrangea is an unpretentious plant, so you should not worry about whether it will take root in the chosen place or not. The most important thing is that the site is not exposed to strong winds, and the soil is sufficiently moist. Also, the plant will feel comfortable in conditions where other moisture-loving flowers do not grow nearby. Otherwise, the hydrangea will not be able to bloom.
If the chosen place is not protected from sunlight, then the seedlings will have to be shaded. This will help to avoid burns on the leaves.
For this reason, it is often planted near high fences, building facades.
Rules of landing
The shrub takes root perfectly on any type of soil, except for those that contain a large amount of lime and ash in their composition. These substances reduce the acidity of the soil, so the plant cannot develop normally.
Experienced gardeners say that a substrate made from humus, earth, peat and sand will serve as a good option for growing.
The landing process is as follows:
- A pit 50 cm wide and 60 cm deep is prepared for seedlings.
- After that, organic fertilizers are applied to the ground. Clay soil is diluted with sand. If organic fertilizers are not available, urea is allowed to be used instead.
- In the process of planting, it is necessary to ensure that the root neck remains flush with the ground.
- After planting is completed, the serrated shrub is abundantly watered with water.
- Mulch the soil around the flower.
The higher the acidity (Ph) of the earth, the brighter the flowers will be. Such soil compositions guarantee good growth of hydrangeas.
Landscape designers often use Bluebird serrate hydrangea in their projects.
Watering and top dressing
Hydrangea is a moisture-loving shrub, so its watering should be regular. The soil must not be allowed to dry out. In hot and dry weather, the plant is watered daily, adding 2-3 liters of water under the root. During the rainy season, watering is reduced to 10 liters per week.
Irrigation water has its own requirements:
- It should not be hard, otherwise the acidity of the soil will drop to a critical value.
- It is forbidden to use tap water. High chlorine content often causes leaf chlorosis (yellowing).
- It is highly not recommended to water the flower with stale water – this can provoke rotting of the roots.
If a nutrient soil mixture was used during the planting process, then for the next 2 years top dressing can be omitted. After 2-3 years, the hydrangea is fertilized three times per season: in spring, during the flowering period, in autumn.
The plant does not like wood ash and lime fertilizers. These funds are prohibited. As for nitrogen-containing fertilizers, they should be used strictly according to the instructions.
Pruning hydrangea serrate Bluebird
Pruning hydrangea serrate Bluebird is performed in September. Using a pruner, it is necessary to cut off 2-3 upper nodes, thereby leveling the “cap” of the bush. Branches without flowers, old dried shoots are also cut off.
Pruning in the autumn is a must. It is needed to reduce the area of evaporation of moisture from the plant. To give a beautiful shape, it is allowed to cut the shrub in the summer.
A radical haircut of the bush is carried out every two years. Removing dead, weak shoots will benefit the plant.
Preparation for winter
After preventive pruning, the hydrangea is prepared for winter. Bushes are treated with solutions against pests. When the foliage finally falls off, the plant is sprayed with a liquid based on copper sulfate and slaked lime.
Despite the fact that the serrate hydrangea has good frost resistance, the shrub is still covered for the winter.
There are several ways to do this:
- Loosen the soil and cover with polyethylene.
- Wrap the branches with a net, and put warm clothes on top.
- Tie the branches together with a rope and insulate with spruce branches.
You need to cover the plant before the arrival of severe frosts.
Reproduction
Propagation of hydrangea serrata Bluebird is carried out in several ways. Gardeners prefer to use one of the following methods:
- Cuttings – young branches are cut in mid-July, and then placed in the ground with peat and sand. A rooted cutting is planted in a permanent place, and by autumn it turns into a full-fledged bush.
- Layering – the lower branches of an adult bush are added dropwise to the ground in spring. In the fall, shoots appear on them, which can be planted next spring.
- Dividing a bush is the most accessible method. The root system is cleaned of soil, leaves, shoots. After that, the upper part of the roots is cut, and then the delenki are planted in another place.
- Seeds – this method is necessary if a lot of seedlings are required. Seeds are purchased at a garden center and then soaked. The seedlings emerging from the seed will be a signal of readiness for planting in the ground.
Successful cultivation of seedlings depends on the correct selection of the earth mixture.
Hydrangea serrata often becomes the main decoration of the garden plot.
Diseases and pests
Hydrangea Bluebird is disease resistant. In addition to regular watering, the serrated shrub needs shelter from the sun’s rays. A flower growing under the sun becomes ill over time: the leaves turn yellow, the flowers become pale and small. To prevent this, it is necessary to create artificial shading.
Sometimes the shrub is affected by chlorosis, aphids and downy mildew. Regular inspection of the flower will help to take action in time.
Bushes growing on calcareous soils are most often subject to chlorosis. For the treatment of plants, an aqueous solution based on copper sulfate and potassium nitrate is used. Downy mildew manifests itself by the appearance of oily spots on the stems and leaves. To process the flower, a solution consisting of laundry soap, water and copper sulfate is used.
If the hydrangea was attacked by aphids, whiteflies or spider mites, then the shrub should be treated with an insecticide. Regular spraying with special preparations will protect the plant from any infections.
Conclusion
Hydrangea serrate Bluebird is a tree-like shrub with beautiful inflorescences. The plant can decorate a balcony, garden plot or terrace. With proper care, the bush will bloom not only all summer, but also in September.
Hydrangea Bluebird Reviews
